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| Q&A: Dr David Hartman on Head Injuries (824 Posts)
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Whatever Works
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On 12/19/2006
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Snoball,
If the idea of saving your brain doesn't do it for you, saving your pretty face for the gender of your choice just might. .. :) Chicks may dig scars, but they don't dig brain-damage drool. . . .and definitely won't dig you looking like somebody stuck an apple corer all over your face. . .You could pour a bucket of Axe over your head and it won't get you squat if you don't protect the goods. Save Face. Wear the Helmet.
Dr. Dave
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poster
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On 12/17/2006 snoball
wrote in from
United States
(72.185.nnn.nnn)
Ha ha that's pretty funny...'stay pretty'....who'd a thunk appeals to ego would be more effective than appeals to survival instincts? for the brain bone, i guess it's whatever works, right?
Right.
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Stay Pretty
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On 12/12/2006
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
check this out: :) drdave
http://www.roadsafety.qld.gov.au/qt/LTASinfo.nsf/ReferenceLookup/Skateboards_metrolite.pdf/$file/Skateboards_metrolite.pdf
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passing through
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On 10/11/2006 snoball
wrote in from
(72.185.nnn.nnn)
Just wanted to say 'hi' Doc.
So..Hi Doc.
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Dumb
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On 10/11/2006
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
There's nothing I can add to that. There's a reason why boarding is 'extreme' and it's not because of the advertising. Falling down a concrete bowl without head protection can kill you dead.
Look, there is nothing like the feel of boarding. If you didn't feel that way you wouldn't be at this site. You love it? Wear the right headgear and pads and you can love it for decades. Spread the word.
Dr. Dave
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dumb
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On 10/10/2006 sad
wrote in from
United States
(68.190.nnn.nnn)
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WAT's the problem
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On 10/8/2006
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
O.K. WAT, you don't say what you were hit with, but if its still giving you symptoms several days after, you NEED to get to an ER or a 24/7 doc in the box, who will likely want an x-ray at least. Don't mess around with symptoms that last. If it's not back to normal with ice and rest, and or is getting worse, and/or your balance or vision is affected, a doc needs to look at it. Now. Do it and let us know.
Dr. Dave
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Head Injury
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On 10/8/2006 Worried Athletic Teen
wrote in from
(68.70.nnn.nnn)
Friday night i was at a football game that were two rivals. The one school were throwing things at the other. I was standing talking to people and got hit on the left side of my head just about my temple. As soon as i got hit i got a ringing sound in my left ear that lasted about 1 day after that. My vision got blurry & i could only see the outlines of people & i heard echos of people when i was trying to stand up. I fell over & got back up & still wasnt right. I went over to someone & barely holding myself up started to cry as i put my arms around them. after about 5 minutes i finally got back & realized what happened. I had a lump that swelled partly over my temple.. I went home & iced it knowing i probably got a concussion bc i have gotten one earlier in the summer. Its been two ddays & i cant chew bc it hurts so bad i have the worst headaches & sometimes im not sure where i am. It hurts to lay on that side & i am a cheerleader that does all the gymnastic stuff & i tried tumbling at a football game on saturday & got really dizzy & nacious. I dont want to go to a doctor bc they will tell me something about how i cant cheer for awhile..
-Please help ne
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Armor at Hood River
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On 9/23/2006 Judi O
wrote in from
United States
(68.126.nnn.nnn)
You guys are welcome on the helmet stuff. The body armor is a Fox Racing piece. I'd rather slide at those speeds on the GS that hill is total commitment with the rocks and the cliff. I had a great time. Never thought I'd still be having the need for speed.
Keep asking for the Switchblade at your local bike or skate shop. You never know they might tool up again. That is the helmet. Gareth, Gary Fluitt, Dave Pirnack and I wear. Next best one is the Remedy that Joe and Kyle Mclaren wear.
Thanks,
Judi O
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thx judi
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On 9/13/2006 peters
wrote in from
United States
(64.236.nnn.nnn)
And I want to thank Judi Oyama at Giro for adjusting my helmet straps two Hood Rivers in a row ;-) and explaining the basic reason why -- making sure the straps are perfect triangles so that in case the worst happens your ears help the straps to hold the lid on your head! I'm gonna start looking for a full face...
I'd also like a men's version of that armored Star Trek jacket she wears during races, cool and functional. Don't know the brand name...
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Full Face Helmets
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On 9/13/2006
Gary Fluitt
wrote in from
United States
(192.18.nnn.nnn)
I want to thank Judi Oyama at Giro for turning me on to full face BMX helmets. Not many of use them, and I'm guessing that is because they are a little hard to find and a bit expensive. But when it comes to your noggin', is that really a deciding factor? My full face has taken two good shots to the chin, and in one incident, I was out for about 2 minutes I'm told. That helmet has been retired, but it saved my face and no doubt, my brain, so it was worth every penny.
Just a quick look at the Bell helmets site and I came up with the Bell Ballistic for $79 MSRP
http://www.bellbikehelmets.com/productDetail.asp?prodID=6
and over on the Giro site, the Remedy CF (Cycling helmets pages)
http://giro.com/main.html
I'm no less photogeneic with facial covering (more with my ugly mug) and more confident, Especially in Tight Slalom, where you can get slapped down in a milisecond with no chance of getting your hands out.
cheers
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David's Confusing Concussion
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On 9/11/2006
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
David,
A bump on the head would not cause the symptoms you are describing, so let's consider other possibilities. Have you been worked up for multiple sclerosis? Are there any ususual hereditary or psychiatric disorders in your family? Have you had a really good physical exam with blood work, etc? There are physical disorders which indirectly fog your brain. Are you overweight? Have you been diagnosed with or could you have sleep apnea? That can cause the symptoms you describe. What meds are you taking? Side effects can be mistaken for brain injury as well. Are you "intoxicated" regularly? Ditto for alcohol effects. The jaw issue may be TMJ. Ask your dentist to take a look at it. The brain can be affected by a lot of other things besides a bump. Time to think outside the box, as it were. Let us know what happens.
Dr. Dave
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injury
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On 9/11/2006 David
wrote in from
United States
(216.248.nnn.nnn)
I'm sorry that my injury from the previous post is a little off-topic...but I really just feel lost in being able to figure it out.
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Head Injury
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On 9/11/2006
David
wrote in from
United States
(216.248.nnn.nnn)
Hey Dr. Dave,
I really need some help trying to figure some things out. I have been to two neurologists and my general doctor and I still can't seem to find any answers.
First off let me start with the situation, when I was in college two years ago I was intoxicated and banged my head against a door really hard (I can't really remember why...stupidity.) I can remember feeling right away that something was off. I went to the doctor and my local health clinic at school and he diagnosed me with a concussion.
I was (and still am) experiencing dull ache in the front of my head, and a numb feeling (which I was told might be damage to the nerves in my forehead but nothing serious), have a hard time remembering things, forgetting stuff easily, tiring easily, stumbling over my words, dimming in hearing and overall just feel almost like a walking zombie sometimes.
Last year I saw a neurologist who prescribed medicine for my headaches I have been experiencing, however, that is only one of the problems associated with this.
The latest neurologist I have just seen was recommended to me by my general practiioner and he did a great job in trying to find out what was wrong.
I had a CATSCAN, MRI's, EEG, blood test. He did the before mentioned tests but found nothing other than evidence of a concussion.
It might be worth noting that immediately after the injury, my jaw felt out of place (and still does) and clicks and cracks badly.
I am very worried and find myself out of options. Any advice would be more than appreciated. I am really scared that I will have to live the rest of my life like this.
Thanks,
David
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No Helmet, No Chance
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On 8/16/2006
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Adam is onto something here. Remember, you've got about 3/8" of bone between what makes you unique, and the asphalt. Hammer yourself into the ground without a helmet and if you live, you may not be the same person. You could wind up as a simpler, slower and less interesting person than you were before. You could wind up as a paralyzed person in a wheelchair.
No helmet and all it takes is one second and you will never skate again. If you love boarding, love it enough to keep doing it. Bucket up!
Dr. Dave
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Ncdsa.com's No Helmet campaign goes public
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On 8/16/2006
Adam
wrote in from
United States
(198.144.nnn.nnn)
From the webmaster..
Webmasters wishing to join Ncdsa's No Helmet campaign are welcome to use the animated 160x600 banners on their own web sites, free of charge.
Source code available here
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Steve's Daughter
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On 8/13/2006
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Steve,
Uncomplicated concussion of the type you are describing, without bleeding, fracture etc., generally recovers in a few weeks to months. It is possible to break components of the ear in a fall, but this would likely have been seen in follow-up examination. A neuro-otologist {who are kind of hard to find} might help you explore causes for your daughter's deafness.
As far as seizures, if she hasn't had one by now, it's unlikely she will, so you can breathe more easily on that score.
The other person to consult with if you are concerned that something was missed is a pediatric neurologist, who could order things like an MRI and/or EEG. Best of luck and let us know how it turns out.
Dr. Dave
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Daughter's concussion
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On 8/4/2006
Steve
wrote in from
United States
(70.146.nnn.nnn)
Dr. Dave, my daughter did a head dive from the couch to the terrazzo floor (highly polished hard concrete) in our house when she was about 3 years old while horsing around; she's now almost 8. After she hit the floor she vomited, was pale, and lethargic for what seemed to be an hour or so....the vomiting was intermittent, her eyes were glazed and sleepy looking. We rushed her to the emergency room, where they took a very long time to get around to her. By the time it was our turn with the doctor her color was coming back. She was not going to get into the machine for a cat scan, at 3 years old and cranky it just wasn't happening. My wife worries a lot that she could be affected by this concussion later in life. Is it possible to have problems from this in the future such as epileptic seizures, or other things? She's about 40% deaf, but we believe this is a genetic trait as my side of the family has hearing loss. We did not realize her hearing problem until after the fall. Any chance the fall could cause this?
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One Shot Helmet
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On 7/1/2006
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Justin,
If your helmet took that kind of hit, it's a good idea to go for a new one. Helmets are not designed to take multiple serious hits, even if they don't look cracked. The material inside absorbed the shock once, and in doing so, likely will not be so effective the next time. A new one is a good idea.
Dr. Dave
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Thanks Dave
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On 6/28/2006 Justin
wrote in from
South Africa
(196.25.nnn.nnn)
Thanks for the info. I have not experienced any of the above mentioned like imbalance, nausea, double vision, bad headaches or any leaking and the smoking is been phased out. I'll be double checking my helmet for any kind of internal and external damage as well. If it persists for anything longer than another week I'll go check it out with my local doc.
Justin
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Justin Pain
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On 6/28/2006
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Justin,
O.K. Assuming you have not developed balance problems increasing headaches, double vision, nausea, unequal pupils, leaking of fluid from your nose or ears etc. you may have bruised the bone or a cranial nerve. A helmet probably saved your brain from a major impact injury at that speed, so if the helmet got dinged, don't forget to bury it with honors and get a new one.
Now, if there is even a hint of things getting worse, or ANY of the above symptoms check it out personally with the doc ASAP. You've got only one head amd it's the most important part of your quiver.
If the symptom is minor and diminishing, call your favorite family doc anyway and ask about matching you with an appropriate pain killer. And smoking of any kind impedes healing, so ditch the cigs. . .or whatever.
Let us know what happens. . .good luck. Dr. Dave
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Pain in head?
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On 6/22/2006 Justin
wrote in from
South Africa
(196.25.nnn.nnn)
Dave, I raced in march 2006 and had a bail at about 55- 60kmh. I tumbled and hit my head. I was wearing what is still a new MX helmet dot approved. The area I hit was just above but behind my left ear. I got up pretty quickly and did not feel dizzy or get a concussion and my helmet felt like it did it's job. There was a doc on hand that witnessed the fall and rushed to my side but I got up feeling ok and skated away. Being a social smoker, Ive gotten a pain which starts from where I hit my head and moves to my front left temple if I cough or I bend down and pressure is aplied to my head I can feel this pain, which has only started about a week ago. Dont suppose you have any suggestions as to what could be causing this pressure pain. I never experienced anything unusual after the race until now.
Justin
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Christian's Story
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On 6/10/2006
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Christian,
That's an amazing, horrific story with an equally amazing recovery. There's nothing I can add, except to emphasize that Christian's recovery to that degree is very lucky. He could equally well have wound up on the disability roles, or worse, the death stats for skateboard-related head injuries without helmets.
So what rationale can you use to put on the helmet? Pick any one of Christian's possible bad outcomes, and if you include some social consciousness, the idea of the state spending 3.5 million tax dollars to put Humpty together again should be cause for pause. Great post, Christian! Thanks! Dr. Dave
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My Own Helmet Advice
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On 5/22/2006
Christian
wrote in from
United States
(157.201.nnn.nnn)
Helmet safety is unfortunately a topic of controversy and debate. To me it is a simple fact that I will always wear one!!! I used to hate them, until I learned the hard way. Fortunately enough, the entire State of CA has been able to learn from my mistake. Here is what occurred:
It was a Friday afternoon of a minimum day of school on 5 Oct. 2001 and a couple of my buddies and I went out riding and I took a pretty gnarly spill. I Ended up with bi-temporal contusions, and vertical and lateral fractures to my skull. I was immediately thrown into seizures and began bleeding from all of the pores on my face. Upon entering the hospital I suffered from pneumonia, a heart-attack, a tracheotomy that included the paralyzing of my left vocal cord, severe clotting (to the point of legitimate consideration of amputating all four limbs). The list goes on and on and on, to include everything from my left pupil exploding, to the hellish rehabilitation process of relearning how to walk, talk, and function all over again.
I learned from my mistake, so that YOU will not have to from yours. My helmet was in the trunk of my car no more than 40 feet from where I ultimately fell. I have recovered miraculously without any real lasting side effects. I have spoke at a number of elementary schools and am now attending college to pursue my eventual JD & MBA degrees. I was being filmed by my friend, and have taken the footage and created a short helmet-safety clip that is currently distributed by my non-profit (“Wear A Helmet, Inc.”) to Elementary schools all over CA. I spoke in favor of the helmet bill, now a law, to the CA State assembly and Senate and it is now required that all minors under the age of 18 wear a helmet while riding a skateboard, scooter (specifically including Razors), as well as Skates (in-line and otherwise). It was an expansion of the already existent bike helmet safety law.
It just makes sense!!! While I would argue that it was my decision and that I need not be told, ordered, or even commanded by law to wear a helmet; it was never my choice, nor should ever be my choice, to put my family through what they were subjected, as well as ring up the $3.5 million hospital bill.
I did not wear one because I thought that I looked like a loser with a helmet on-but really who was the loser when I fell?
Wear One—it is easily worth it!
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brainzzzzz
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On 4/23/2006 snoball
wrote in from
(70.127.nnn.nnn)
Hey Phil, the doc's right. But be patient with him and don't freak out about any changes that may take place in his personality or thinking. I'm a survivor myself and can say that once his skull heals there won't be any visual clues to others that he's suffered an injury ( like a cast on a leg ) to tell people why this or that is happening with him and he'll likely not whant to wear a t-shirt that says,"I'm brain damaged, be patient." LOL Some of the changes don't surface till later, others are immediately apparant but then go away. The brain's complex that way I guess. I can write but often have difficult verbalizing my thoughts, word search or just quit trying and shut up. The main thing is he's alive and the brain has a pretty good rebound ability but also doesn't forget injuries ( that's what my neuro told me anyway ). They'll likely never want to see him back on a board, but he'll skate again and a helmet will help prevent or minimize any furhter injuries. Already he's lucky too because he has a freind who gives enough of a damn to be supportive and want to be helpful.
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